Eggs, eggs, eggs...

In the Kitchen

Last week, I got some duck eggs from Meadowlark Heritage Farm!  I had duck eggs for breakfast yesterday.  I had never tried duck eggs...they were great!  Everyone says they are super good for baking.  I will be making some cookies later this afternoon...

Ducks at Meadowlark Heritage Farm

Yesterday, I went to the Women in Ag Conference.  I met a lady that said she sells goose eggs and duck eggs.  I was really interested in the goose eggs!  She said that she has 3 pairs and that they mate for life.  They only lay eggs in the spring (March through June).  She sells them at the Co-op so the boys and I went to the Co-op and bought one.  They sell individually for $2 each.  In this picture, the duck egg is on the top, the chicken egg is the brown one on the left and the goose egg is the bottom right.  I will probably be eating the goose egg for breakfast tomorrow. 

Duck egg, chicken egg, and goose egg

Women in Ag Conference

The conference topic was communication.  We walked through a DiSC Personality Test and tried to figure out which "personality style" we had.  The idea is that if we understand our personality/communication style and recognize that others have different ways of communicating, then we can identify different types and adjust our communication to fit that person.  Or, just don't talk to personality types you do not like...just kidding!

If you are looking for a quick tool to help you better understand yourself – and others – immediately, you are in the right place. Our Free disc Personality Test gives you an instant estimate of your disc profile based on answers to 12 short questions.

In no more than 10 minutes (probably more like five), you’ll have a better understanding of why you communicate the way you do and insights into how you can communicate with others more effectively. With your results, you can:

Immediately improve interpersonal communications

Connect with co-workers more effectively

Understand what you need to do to be more successful in your interactions with others.

It was hard for me to narrow it down...I felt that I was D, C and S.  I knew that I was definitely not an "I".  Then, someone told me that you could take a free test online.  I did the 12 question test and it came out with D, C, and S.  Of course, they want me to pay to find out more details about which type best fits me (not going to happen.)  I feel that I am mostly C...(maybe that is wishful thinking...)

New sunflowers for this year...

Sunflowers

I am trying some new sunflowers this year.  To see the varieties that I planted last year, check out this post HERE.

I am adding the following new varieties:

SORAYA SUNFLOWER: First sunflower to win an All-America Selections award.  This big sister to Sonja has larger flowers and thicker, sturdier stems. Branches average 20" and sport 4-6" blooms. May yield as many as 20-25 stems/plant.

GIANT SUNGOLD:  Fully-double, yellow-gold flowers.  A tall, Teddy Bear-type with up to 8" blooms.
Last year, I grew Double Quick Orange (another double/teddy bear sunflower).  It was the only flower that did really poor for me.  I think I only ended up bringing about a half dozen to the market. A lot of them were deformed and the head was just not pretty.  So, I am excited to try a new "double" this year.

STARBURST LEMON AURA Gorgeous, pale yellow, branching double.  Lovely, fully-double blooms on long, sturdy stems cover this compact plant. The light yellow shade lends itself well to pastel bouquets making it a great addition to an existing sunflower line.

STRAWBERRY BLONDE  Ruby red flowers that hold their petals.  Flowers have burgundy, sometimes pink, petals with lemony tips and dark centers. Branching plants have long, strong side stems for cutting.

BUTTERCREAM An early bloomer with great color and habit.  Pale, butter-yellow flowers with brown centers are 3 1/2-4 1/2" across. Long side branches that continue to provide blooms for several weeks make this a perfect cut flower. 

GREENBURST Early blooming, semi-double flowers.  Golden yellow petals surround green centers. 4-6" blooms on 12-24" stems. Sturdy, branching habit. 

So, in all there will be 11 varieties.  Five varieties that I grew last year and then these new 6 varieties. Why so many?  I am still experimenting with which varieties do best.  I want to "experiment" with more branching type sunflowers vs. single stem flowers.  Also, I am still experimenting with the best way to plant them...seed vs. transplants.